What materials were use to build the San Gabriel mission?

The primary construction materials used during the construction of Mission San Gabriel Arcángel were adobe sun-dried clay or soil, stone, lime mortar, and wood. The following is a more detailed description of each material and its use:

1. Adobe (Sun-Dried Clay or Soil)

- The most abundant material used in the mission's construction was adobe, a mixture of clay, sand, water, and straw that was molded into bricks and dried under the sun.

- Adobe bricks, called adobes, were typically rectangular and measured approximately 12 inches (30 cm) in width, 4 inches (10 cm) in height, and 24 inches (60 cm) in length.

- Adobe bricks were laid in layers to build walls, and the thickness of the walls ranged from 2 to 4 feet (0.6 to 1.2 meters).

- Adobe provided excellent insulation, keeping the interiors cool during hot weather and warm during cold weather.

2. Stone:

- Stones, both quarried and collected from the nearby river, were used in constructing foundations and walls.

- The main entrance or portal, window trim, and exterior staircases were constructed from skillfully carved stone.

- For the main entry of the church, a particularly exquisite piece of sandstone with relief carvings served as the decorative lintel above the door.

- Stone buttresses were later added to the church to support the walls.

3. Lime Mortar:

- Lime mortar, a mixture of lime, water, sand, and sometimes straw, was employed as a binder to hold the adobe bricks and stones together.

- Lime mortar helped provide structural stability to the buildings.

4. Wood:

- Wood, primarily lumber from pine and redwood trees, was utilized in the mission's construction.

- It was used for roof trusses, doors, window frames, and certain interior elements like the choir loft and altar screen.

- Due to the presence of termites in the area, the wood components required regular maintenance.

5. Roofing:

- The roofs of Mission San Gabriel were initially constructed using locally sourced tule reeds.

- As the mission developed and resources became more available, the reed roofing was replaced with burnt clay tiles, which were more durable.

In summary, the primary construction materials used in Mission San Gabriel Arcángel were adobe, stone, lime mortar, and wood, with specialized use of burnt clay tiles for roofing. These materials contributed not only to the physical structure but also to the unique architectural and cultural significance of the mission.